When I stepped outside this morning, I felt a chill and ran inside to put on a sweater.
I love summer in Atlanta but one of the perks of cooler weather is getting to bundle up in comfy sweaters. Once it’s cool enough outside to wear a sweater that’s pretty much all I wear so I make sure to have a lot of options. After several years, I’ve built up what I consider to be a decent collection of sweaters. The factors I consider when choosing sweaters are versatility, neutral colors so they can go with anything – even though I mostly wear jeans or black pants, comfort, and warmth – enough for Atlanta anyway. 🙂
I received a Rakuda bag for the purpose of this review. This post was made possible by Mom Spark Media. Thoughts are my own. I only review select items that I would buy for myself and my family.
Summer means travel and travel means packing, travel bags, and luggage. All of that often equates to heavy lifting and discomfort which I really don’t like.
My suitcase and carry-on bag on my trip to Indiana last week were both nothing less than crazy and crazy-heavy respectively. Sorry Delta, but my luggage may have been a tad over the carry-on limit.
I’m addicted to bags. Purses, tote bags, travel bags, backpacks, you name it. The coat closet by our front door is more of a bag closet. That is not because I LOVE collecting bags. I’m not a fan of collecting things. It’s because I am searching for the perfect purse and travel bag. I have looked for purses and travel bags that are stylish, comfortable, light weight, and durable, for the past few years. My sister Grechen, who is basically my personal shopper, will tell you how picky I am when it comes to purses and bags of any sort. During my quest, I’ve learned that weight often wins over style or function and I might not get the bag that I hoped for, thus the dozens of bags in our coat closet. However, in the case of the satchel I received from Rakuda, all of my requirements are met. This satchel (ie travel bag) has a classic style, it is very light, and it has all the pockets I need, as well as a wide, adjustable strap for comfort. In other words, this is a pretty awesome bag!
What I Consider When Choosing A Travel Bag:
Style
If you’re not a fan of trendy purses that will look good for just a few months, you might want to considering buying a bag that is a classic style to use for travel. Considering buying a bag that will look good with black and brown outfits.
Comfort& Functionality
Your travel bag should have at least one exterior pocket so you have easy access to important things like a phone or camera.
The main interior pocket should have a wide opening so items inside are easy to get to quickly.
A long strap for cross-body use will help with comfort on long days of tours. The purse strap should be wide and soft so that it doesn’t dig into your shoulder.
Weight & Durability
The weight of a bag is a huge factor when travelling. Whether it’s the weight of luggage or the bag you’re carrying while touring your destination, it’s important to make sure the bag is as lightweight as possible so you don’t have to strain and you’re not uncomfortable just to make it through the day.
Make sure that your travel bag is made up of materials that are durable such as high quality leather and strong canvas. These materials won’t tear or fall apart easily and can usually hold up in all types of weather.
Watch my brief video about the Rakuda Satchel
Things I Carry In My Travel Bag:
It took a few years for me to realize that I don’t really need to carry as much in my travel bag as I thought I did. Do I really need magazines, a charger for my iPad and iPhone, an external battery for both, a water bottle, my large wallet, a notepad, my large sunglasses case, a first aid kit, and 4 different snacks? Not really.
Here is what I carry in my bag/purse while I am out and about on trips:
Wallet
iPhone
Water bottle
Chapstick
iPad Mini
Small Moleskine notebook
Pens
A few cosmetic items (powder, nail clippers, lip gloss, etc)
Charger and external battery for iPhone and iPad (I can’t stop carrying these, although I’ve tried.. I am a charging addict)
What is the Rakuda Satchel Great For?
My son Sebastian (13 years old) took the satchel out of the box and ran before I could even look at it. He claimed it as his own and started gathering things to put in it. He gathered a sketchbook, pencils, his favorite aviators, his Camelback water bottle, Kashi snack bars, iPhone, and earphones and was packed like he was ready to go on a safari. That being said, you can rest assured that this satchel is great for both men and women. My son really wants the Desert Tan Cargo Backpack and with the 40% promo code (see below) Rakuda is offering now, he just might get one!
Travel bag – The Rakuda Satchel is really a great travel bag. Your wallet, a map, sunscreen, snacks, a water bottle, your phone, and an iPad will fit in this bag.
Camera bag – When used as a camera bag, the camera can be stored in the main pocket and an extra lens can easily be stored in the exterior magnetic enclosure pocket.
Dad diaper bag – This is a great bag to use as a Dad diaper bag when Dad is taking a quick trip to the park or mall. A couple of diapers, a box of diaper wipes, a sippy cup, your wallet, and even a change of clothes for baby will fit comfortably in this satchel making it a great Dad diaper bag.
Get 40% off your Rakuda purchase through June 30th!
Rakuda is offering 40% off all products when you use promo code Rakuda40 through June 30th, 2013! Visit RakudaBags.com.
Do you remember the brown tubular Vidal Sassoon bottles that we had when we were kids? Well, P&G Beauty & Grooming recently introduced the Vidal Sassoon Pro Series color, care and styling line. Perfected by experts, the collections offer quality products for creating effortlessly beautiful, real life styles at home. And in sleek, modern, red bottles this time!
There are five care and styling collections in the Pro Series line, and at-home color kits which were released earlier this year, make styling and maintaining hair a breeze.
This week I tried out Vidal Sassoon Repair & Finish Spray and Vidal Sassoon Boost & Lift Foaming Air Mousse. I was excited to try out both products but I really love the Boost & Lift Foaming Air Mousse from the Volume Collection. Special foam technology helps control unruly hair for a weightless, pumped up feeling and provides up to 24 hours of flexible hold. What’s really great about this product is that it is easy to comb out. It doesn’t make my hair feel like a plastic wig like some mousse does.
On Monday I went to the salon and had about 5 inches of hair cut off with the result being a layered bob. It had been about a 8 months my last hair cut and I was ready for something different. My style inspiration came from Michelle Williams’ cute longish-pixie cut at the Oscar’s but I didn’t want to go that short so my stylist gave me a chin length layered bob.
Before my stylist blow-dried my hair, I expressed my concern that because my hair is so thick, it would still be heavy and lay flat, even with my new layers. That’s when she lifted two sections of hair and I applied a mousse. Of course, the salon’s mousse is about $30 and I had just paid a lot to get my hair cut so I passed on their mousse and I’m glad I did because one day later I received the Vidal Sassoon products to try.
I don’t have a lot of confidence when it comes to styling my hair or applying makeup so I appreciate any product that makes it easier for me to do either. Before blow-drying my hair I lifted two horizontal areas of hair about 3 inches wide and applied the Boost & Lift Foaming Air Mousse. I thought that it might leave my hair difficult to brush while blow-drying but it didn’t. After blow-drying, my hair looked full instead of flat and drab. Mission accomplished!
The Repair & Finish Spray is applied to towel-dried hair and tames the fly aways of which I usually seem to have a lot of after about two hours after having dried my hair. My hair just doesn’t seem to want to stay in place. While I will probably never use as much hairspray as I did in the 80’s I don’t think it’s a bad thing to use if it will keep your hair under control. This product also keeps damaged hair from breaking. If it’s been a few months since you had a cut or you recently had your hair colored, this is a great product to try.
Both of the products smell refreshing and light and are $3.99 each for 5.07 oz. You can find the Vidal Sassoon Pro Series collection in drugstores and mass retailers including Wal-Mart and Target.
Click the product links above to learn more about each product and watch how-to videos.
Connect with Vidal Sassoon on Twitter and Facebook to learn more and get up to the minute news and tips about the Vidal Sassoon Pro Series collections.
I am a compensated P&G Blogger and received these products for review purposes. All opinions are my own.
For a lot of new moms, finding a balance between fashion and comfort can be difficult. New moms often find that their wardrobe consists of sweatpants and tees and many, like I did, wear maternity pants for months after having their baby because they are comfortable. This time in a new mom’s life is often called the fourth trimester!
It is very important however, for new moms to dress fashionably even if they are still over their ideal weight and can’t fit into their stylish pre-pregnancy clothes. Shopping at the closest department might not be the answer though. After having my second child and once I realized that I wasn’t going to fit into my size 6 pants again anytime soon, I went to a department store to buy an entirely new wardrobe. I ended up buying pieces that didn’t fit me. Why? I was tempted by the ‘regular’ size stuff in the store and thought surely I’ll lose the extra 15 pounds in a week or so. Needless to say, that wasn’t the case.
Plus size fashion from fashion world gives new moms who are a size 12-32 a lot of options allowing them to get out of the sweatpants and baggy tees. I’m all for wearing comfortable clothes but it’s very important for self esteem, to say the least, that we dress to impress even when at home with the kids. Wearing clothes with some style just makes people feel better, don’t you agree?
A couple of my favorite pieces from Fashion World, for example, are the Joe Browns Antique Vintage Dress (pictured above) and the Angel Ribbons Christie Rainbow Jumper. Pair the jumper (aka sweater) with your favorite pair of skinny jeans or leggings and ankle boots, for a cute and comfortable outfit that you will feel stylish and confident in!
Fashion tips for new moms:
Wear clothes that highlight areas of your body that you love.
Don’t be afraid to accessorize
Empire-waist dresses are a great option for new moms
Pairing a flowing top (not baggy) with leggings or skinny jeans will help you look thinner
A long necklace can also help make new moms look thinner
Are you a mom whose go-to outfit is sweatpants and a tee or are you a stylish mom who understands that you can have the best of both worlds.. style AND comfort?
What are your must-have ‘fourth trimester’ pieces?
This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.
Vidal Sassoon Pro Series Collections: